On December 16, 2011, Sergeant Ray Wolfenbarger will record another milestone in his life. A life that ten years ago, was almost taken away when he was shot three times while on duty with the South Bend Police Department.
During his midnight patrol on the southwest side of South Bend, Wolfenbarger began following a car without headlights. Following a short chase, the car driven by 19-year-old Christopher Hogan crashed. Wolfenbarger approached the vehicle and was shot by Hogan. Although he was wearing a bullet proof vest, the bullets entered his shoulder and abdomen, causing extensive bleeding.
Paramedics responded to the scene and gave him a mere 5% chance of survival. But Ray didn’t see it that way.
Instead, the 27-year-old, four year police veteran, knew that he would have to fight to survive so he could continue to take care of his wife Amy and their 2-year-old daughter, Bailee.
He battled against the odds of survival, despite the fact that he literally bled out over four times. The average human adult male has between 10 and 12 units of blood and Ray received 47 units during his nine surgeries and recovery.
It was a long road to where he is today, after all, doctors didn’t think he would make it in the beginning. He defied the odds. They didn’t think he’d walk and he defied the odds, as well.
Had it not been for donors at South Bend Medical Foundation who had volunteered to give blood, Bailee might not have her father with her today. It is because of the selfless acts of those donors, who gave blood not knowing that a police officer would be shot that weekend, that enough blood was on hand to save Ray’s life.
Ray knows the importance of donating blood because it saved his own life. He’s been a faithful donor since he was medically cleared and helps each year with the Fallen Officer Blood Drive honoring officers who have been killed in the line of duty.
For the first time in many years, Ray will be unable to donate. Although he tries to repay the community by giving back the 36 units he used, doctors recently found a blood clot in his system and advised him to take blood thinners which defer him from donating.
On June 15th, the South Bend Police Department will open its doors to the public and encourage the community the donate blood in honor of the Fallen Officers. This event is important to Ray and his family and the families of the men who have lost their loved ones so that we can have protection.
Ray’s goal for the event is to get 125 units during the Fallen Officer Blood Drives. Help show your support by making an appointment at http://bit.ly/SBFallenOfficers or contact Barb at 574.235.9311.
South Bend Medical Foundation will also host a blood drive in honor of the Mishawaka Fallen Officers on June 16th from 11am until 4pm at the Police Department on Church Street. If you would like to donate please contact Chris Daggy at 574.258.1683 or visit http://bit.ly/MishFallenOfficers or email cdaggy@mishawakacity.com.
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